Pulgar explains call-up snub, cools 2030 hopes, backs Chile youth

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·24 September 2026

Pulgar explains call-up snub, cools 2030 hopes, backs Chile youth

At 32, Erick Pulgar says he remains open to talks with the Chilean national team, but cites physical uncertainty ahead of the next World Cup

Erick Pulgar spoke cautiously about the possibility of playing in the next World Cup for Chile. In an interview with the newspaper O Globo, the Flamengo midfielder said he cannot guarantee he will be at the 2030 tournament. He also argued that the national team should focus its efforts on the new generation.

The statement comes amid a week of major fallout in Chile. The player turned down another call-up from Nicolás Córdova, La Roja’s interim coach, and began facing criticism from former athletes in the country. In the interview, Pulgar cited his age and uncertainty about the future to avoid making promises. At the same time, he left the door open for a possible return later on:

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“I’m 32 years old today, and the next World Cup is four years away. I would love to see Chile back in a World Cup, but it wouldn’t be honest to guarantee that I’ll be there to play in it. We don’t know what my physical condition will be like or where I’ll be in my football career at that time. The national team will always be important to me and, if later on I can contribute, I’ll be willing to talk about it. But right now the focus needs to be on the young players. They need support, confidence, and patience with this process. They are the ones who need to grow and take Chile back to the World Cup,” he said.

Pulgar does not close the door, but avoids promises

The remarks are in line with the stance the midfielder has taken in recent weeks. On September 15, he published a statement on social media about the situation with the Chilean national team. At the time, he denied having any problem with Córdova and asked for more visibility for the young players who had been called up.

Now, the message has gained a new element: the outlook for the next World Cup. Pulgar will be 36 when the 2030 World Cup begins. Because of that, the player himself admits he does not know what his physical condition will be or what stage of his career he will be in.

In the same interview, the midfielder also rejected the idea that he avoids the national team because he cannot handle pressure. To challenge that interpretation, he pointed out that he has already played in packed stadiums and in Libertadores knockout matches with Flamengo.

I think some things I discussed with the president were taken quite out of context. I spoke about criticism; I never said I didn’t want to go to the national team because I couldn’t handle the pressure. In fact, I even find it a little funny when people talk about pressure. I play matches with 60,000 or 70,000 people, I’ve already played in decisive Copa Libertadores rounds and also in a Libertadores final. If, after all that, the problem was that I couldn’t handle the “pressure” of playing for Chile, that would be quite curious. And, to be honest, I also don’t like to overuse that word. Pressure is what a person who works 12 hours a day feels and, at the end of the month, doesn’t know if they’ll be able to bring food home. What I do is football. I’m lucky to do what I love.

Criticism in Chile grew after another refusal

The interview serves as an indirect response to a wave of criticism. The harshest came from Esteban Paredes, the all-time top scorer in the history of the Chilean Championship. On the program Tipsters, the former striker said the midfielder had a fragile mindset and said he would never call him up again.

On the other hand, Claudio Bravo came to the player’s defense. The former goalkeeper called Pulgar the best active Chilean player and described his absence as a waste. Claudio Borghi, former Chile coach and former Flamengo player, meanwhile demanded permanent availability from players.

Pulgar has not worn the Chile shirt since October 15, 2024. On that day, he played 84 minutes in a 4-0 loss to Colombia in the qualifiers. Since then, Chile failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and began reshaping the squad.

Refusals have continued throughout 2026

The midfielder has been left out of every national team list this season. In March, he did not play for Chile in friendlies against Cape Verde and New Zealand. At the time, according to the Chilean press, he cited muscle overload.

In June, Córdova said the player turned down the call-up to face Portugal and DR Congo for personal reasons. In August, the federation tried a direct approach. The coach and national teams manager Felipe Correa traveled to Rio de Janeiro and spoke in person with the midfielder.

Even so, Pulgar’s name was again left off the list released on September 10. Without him, Chile faces Canada this Saturday (26) and the United States on Tuesday (29). After that, the team will play Mexico on October 6, in a series of friendlies featuring youngsters called up for the first time.

Focus remains on Flamengo, with contract through 2029

While the saga with the national team continues, Pulgar remains a key figure in Leonardo Jardim’s Flamengo. In early September, the club announced the Chilean’s contract extension through December 2029, with an improved salary.

The midfielder joined Flamengo in 2022 from Fiorentina (ITA). Since then, he has won two Libertadores titles, one Brasileirão, and two Copa do Brasil trophies, among other honors. For the national team, he was part of the squad that won the Copa América Centenario in 2016.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.